Mom feels bad because she's been neglecting her duties here in Blogville. First, she left all of us alone for over a week. [Note from mom: It wasn't easy for me. It's not like I slept at all without my fur monsters, ya know.] Then, she flew off to Napa Valley for some sun and fun. [Note from mom: Hey, someone has to keep tabs on the Valley and make sure the wine is tasting good...] Then, as soon as she comes back, she gets the flu! Can you imagine??? Sick as a... well... dawg. So she's posting a few pics of her vacation to hold everyone over until she's back on her feet 100%.
Note from mom: It's great to be back with my monsters. There's nothing like coming home and seeing five butts wiggling like crazy! Make that six - I was pretty happy, too! I've missed my Blogville friends and will make an extra effort to stop by to say hi to everyone. In the meantime, enjoy the pictures!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9fC0v4Dd82qJHVJ9EKMS5E6OluERZQO_7rZ0xWTOsNS7b9cBKRGrqq0xeRTibWXizwFzE-YBKdcTw8idNk4XxBlETeoAOqYoyOTdV34qVV-cnHGVUMCgrYFx8vDez-8_B2rO8j4APC1do/s400/artichokes.jpg) |
The yard of the house we rented was beautifully landscaped. Here's an artichoke plant... |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimemeEt38d7AxSJ2oBduNOpMXVqUE44q7urD1j6m4Kd7PDlzxQcyGzli5dXj6pE4d6CR6Rib4ULKxlkNwvI0mrsCD94qZyCtzX375aJNZvp18UQv4dnPc4Q7f0-dLJgUXKRV6tmBoJefCW/s400/fig.jpg) |
A fig tree (see the fig?)... There were also olive trees, rosemary and sage bushes, you name it. Just beautiful. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyO7uviAKWXibovoH5GXr2jE4igEiEzj5Ii77bz3QfChWhcM0ID0OF39_CfYo2baw9u2437Y9n0832BL0AeAx1v8EPvdE9rYrp2tSDRgblDB3Kmle2IBfb8LfRzzslRQx2VZ5VGfoVj3w/s400/orange.jpg) |
An orange tree... |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSgTYz7s2jSMhcQaFtMbXfnvcxKW8NQHRWRWFQJ5YVnY-8DT6T16CYKIVqLLIhRv0YDod94bYx67hlSupg4bPdKA9WU3agHuvGdMu695ST6LBX_kPpTKlfJnUIid8J0lGFQwLx9FuUJKtb/s400/ball1.jpg) |
I woke up to this sight one morning. Calistoga is known for hot air balloons. Gorgeous! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAiBflp4_zcny1SiNMyKU4DiNidf0PA27irp0Va5UV5eY1-pbcLCg04Vm-emVnojnSUrNcW7OnkT9CORgCvitYRZj1ATcrqxmvJNqQoTTys46y5wNgWRuIAc2y7i1YPZhrg31o89tU5prd/s400/ball2.jpg) |
A closer look. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyWjbb8RXwjNoAQYzKo82GyKjw-la-fDDMR197iIm0Q8Teb6cOhQhC7Sn0x73NqHDI5_SaM7bc0NRVyYgHTC1Ws8wktCn3qoA4VngwXL3brwuKYj4IePyct3yzw7fv6298R1jYB8GKmNGN/s400/bird.jpg) |
A hike up Mount Saint Helena offered some great photo ops. Can you see the hummingbird in this picture? He was a little faster than my shutter! |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ifcoBoaMOBnHnR76nmAfiJOOTU4AEza_RF6RaTmoB2yY_ENKjo2HvSHDKqTZMvylBHByzvVTJVyM6qwppPMkeg4vNR42s85OB0x0Os26cCB3j1Jf6dAa5T8PXCpDGcdmH8RYaDr2y4O2/s400/dogtown.jpg) |
Who could resist a photo of Dogtown (population now 33)? Near Point Reyes Station, CA. |
Hope you enjoyed these. More to come as mom sorts through her photos!